Oilers Drop First Match in Alaska

Fairbanks, Alas.- The University of Findlay volleyball team kicked off their trip to Alaska today  Thursday, Sept. 1  at the Denali State Bank Ice Blocker Classic. The Oilers fell to the #20 Alaska Anchorage Seawolves , by a score of 3-0 (25-8, 25-21, 25-19) and fall to 0-4 on the year. With the win, Alaska Anchorage continues their hot start, moving them to 8-0 on the year.

In the first set, the Seawolves dominated early. They took a quick 7-0 lead. The Oilers were able to put up eight points before Alaska Anchorage  then closed the set with a 8-0 run to take the match.

In the second set, both teams went back-and-forth and neither was able to take control. Findlay was able to take a  16-13 lead, but the Seawolves outscored the Oilers 12-5, including a 7-0 stretch  to claim a 2-0 lead.

The third set was again back-and-forth, with the lead for both teams never being more than two. However, after a timeout by Alaska Anchorage with the Oilers down by one at 20-19, the Seawolves drove home five straight kills to close out the match and pick up their eighth consecutive win of the year.

As a team, Findlay hit just .141, picking up 30 kills and making 16 attack errors. On the other side, Alaska Anchorage hit .400 including hitting .536 in the first set and .424 in the final set to close out the victory.

Freshman Alana Pohlman led Findlay with 7 kills on 13 attempts for a hitting percentage of .462. Senior Norah Painter  played well, picking up eleven killw but hitting just .108. Freshman Lauren Foerster chipped in four kills.

Freshman Emma White had a team-high 22 assists while sophomore Ava Doster contributed eight digs. Junior Hannah Bruns recorded the lone block for the Oilers.

Findlaywill continue their trip to the state of Alaska where they will play three more matches. They face Arkansas-Fort Smith tomorrow at 6:30pm EST.